Can't stop addicted to the shin dig
Cop top he says I'm gonna win big
Choose not a life of imitation
Distant cousin to the reservation
Defunkt the pistol that you pay for
This punk the feeling that you stay for
In time I want to be your best friend
Eastside love is living on the westend
Knock out but boy you better come to
Don't die you know the truth is some do
Go write your message on the pavement
Burnin' so bright I wonder what the wave meant
White heat is screaming in the jungle
Complete the motion if you stumble
Go ask the dust for any answers
Come back strong with 50 belly dancers

Chorus:
The world I love
The tears I drop
To be part of
The wave can't stop
Ever wonder if it's all for you
The world I love
The trains I hop
To be part of
The wave can't stop
Come and tell me when it's time to

Sweetheart is bleeding in the snowcone
So smart she's leading me to ozone
Music the great communicator
Use two sticks to make it in the nature
I'll get you into penetration
The gender of a generation
The birth of every other nation
Worth your weight the gold of meditation
This chapter's going to be a close one
Smoke rings I know your going to blow one
All on a spaceship persevering
Use my hands for everything but steering
Can't stop the spirits when they need you
Mop tops are happy when they feed you
J. Butterfly is in the treetop
Birds that blow the meaning into bebop

(Repeat Chorus)

Wait a minute I'm passing out
Win or lose just like you
Far more shocking
Than anything i ever knew
How about you
10 more reasons
Why i need somebody new just like you
Far more shocking than anything I ever knew
Right on cue

Can't stop addicted to the shin dig
Cop top he says I'm gonna win big
Choose not a life of imitation
Distant cousin to the reservation
Defunkt the pistol that you pay for
This punk the feeling that you stay for
In time I want to be your best friend
Eastside love is living on the westend
Knock out but boy you better come to
Don't die you know the truth is some do
Go write your message on the pavement
Burnin' so bright I wonder what the wave meant

Kick start the golden generator
Sweet talk but don't intimidate her
Can't stop the gods from engineering
Feel no need for any interfering
Your image in the dictionary
This life is more than ordinary
Can I get 2 maybe even 3 of these
Come from space
To teach you of the pliedes
Can't stop the spirits when they need you
This life is more than just a read thru



Lyrics submitted by on_a_plain_11

Track duration: 04:29


Can't Stop song meanings
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184 Comments

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  • 0
    My Interpretation:"Birds tha blow the meaning into bebop"

    This might be a reference to "The Bird" (Charlie Parker), since he was one of the great masters of Bebop.

    And that's great
    Flag JucaOPastoron November 14, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:By the Way is their greatest album to date! Lyric-wise is phenomenal and the depth of these songs musically is over the top. The song are played with such passion that I haven't been able to find on another rhcp album. I know a lot would argue that Stadium Arcadium is the best one, but I beg to differ. Yes Stadium Arcadium is obviously a masterpiece but it has something missing which is the great lyrics that were featured on By the Way. Now, I'm With You, I believe that is grand on the scale that is so much bigger than anything they ever done. Musically, the album takes you over a wide range of different musical stylings and the way it is composed and arranged would make anyone's heart melt. But call me old fashion, (not really, I'm only 18), By the Way is still one of the greatest piece of music I ever heard.
    Flag kheartson September 01, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I think that the chorus to this song

    The world I love
    The tears I drop
    To be part of
    The wave can't stop
    Ever wonder if it's all for you
    The world I love
    The trains I hop
    To be part of
    The wave can't stop
    Come and tell me when it's time to

    is about life as a whole and how we all have our ups and downs but we experience it together in a constant flow. The lyrics "come and tell me when it's time to" are saying come tell me when my life is over and when i've completed the journey and i will be ready to go
    Flag tromboneron June 10, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:This is definitely my favorite RHCP song. I'm seeing them May 25, 2012 and if they don't play this I'll be pissed. I don't think I need to worry though.
    Flag AmericanaFUBARon April 07, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:"this life is more than just a read through."

    indeed.

    the video makes me smile too. I'm glad they were inspired by the One Minute Sculptures. It makes for the perfect combination of child-like velocity and a complex critque of modern society...also kind makes me want to rock out in a trash can and hump a drum kit. te he.
    Flag audioabbyon August 19, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:i fkn love thiz song..... in my opinion this song it saying "cnat stop" living life to the fullest and i think that tha chorus iz from anthonys piont of view him saying tha world he love and the tears he drops to be part of the ppl who inspire other ppl and has anyone ever thought about it like this "wow he dose this for himself but he also dose this for the plessure of the ppl who listen to his music" welll thats my opinion so yompp
    Flag MrCHILIpepperzon July 18, 2011   Link
  • +1
    My Interpretation:MY INTERPRTATION of
    Can’t Stop by Red Hot Chili Peppers

    Can't stop addicted to the shin dig (Adicted to fame/$$/sex. Proclaiming actual truth. Cop top he says I'm gonna win big (Evil/Industry has promised me fame and fortune)
    Choose not a life of imitation (Please don’t do as I do/say. Choose your own path, with Free Will)
    Distant cousin to the reservation (a Navajo will know this meaning)
    Defunkt the pistol that you pay for (be responsible for the music/surrounding you hear/see. “Kill your TV/Radio”)
    This punk the feeling that you stay for (people are sheep, you are following Evil energy)
    In time I want to be your best friend (Evil wants to own you, eventually he may)
    Eastside love is living on the west end (Absolute opposite of what you believe to be “true”)
    Knock out but boy you better come to (come to Light, wake up now!)
    Don't die you know the truth is some do (Snap out of mass hypnosis, only few know/see this truth. You can survive.)
    Go write your message on the pavement (Do as your ancient ancestors and continue the message by any means, including carving into rock)
    Burnin' so bright I wonder what the wave meant (If Light is so good and our human goal, why is there Evil?)
    White heat is screaming in the jungle (Evil energy consuming “jungle” Industry/perverted fame)
    Complete the motion if you stumble (Continue to pray/believe/have faith, even if you backslide)
    Go ask the dust for any answers (Turn to ancient ancestors for answers to Life)
    Come back strong with 50 belly dancers (come back and fight Evil with that ancient wisdom)

    [Chorus:]
    The world I love (the Fame and $$ and unlimited sex)
    The tears I drop (pain/remorse for blood/human sacrifice to fulfill your half of “bargain”)
    To be part of (#1 prayer of Fame, No longer in control of career)
    The wave can't stop (The “Fame” was granted, now a puppet, can’t get out of Evil’s Contract on life/death)
    Ever wonder if it's all for you (All for Fame and $$, is it worth it?)
    The world I love (The Fame and $)
    The trains I hop (the dicks I ride/sacrifices I made)
    To be part of (the things I do / have done to get Fame $ Unlimited sex)
    The wave can't stop (Evil has a firm grip, firm hold on Industry)
    Come and tell me when it's time to (Monarch Training type life. Induced/controlled/triggered behavior)
    Sweetheart is bleeding in the snowcone (Everlasting Light is mourning/bleeding for the intention of Human kind on Earth)
    So smart she's leading me to ozone (robotic behavior inducing self-destruction by a greater Evil hand)
    Music the great communicator (just that, masking thru musical means including by visual means as well. “oldest trick in the book”)
    Use two sticks to make it in the nature (“self” pleading to get back to true path of progressive “enlightenment”)
    I'll get you into penetration (“I” Evils in Industry leading you/sheep/fans in wrong path off positive progressive path to real love, light be it by sex, drugs or rock and roll)
    The gender of a generation (a new robotic/zombie “herded” generation of fans/humankind)
    The birth of every other nation (enslave humankind/Earth to revert to non progressive behavior)
    Worth your weight the gold of meditation (“Self” sharing: Key to Enlightenment/connection to the Light is priceless.
    This chapter's going to be a close one (The battle for one’s everlasting soul/energy is at hand and is fierce)
    Smoke rings I know your going to blow one (“ashes, ashes we ALL fall down” If you continue to ‘follow’ you will suffer too)
    All on a spaceship persevering (we Humankind can and will progress to a higher dimension in every way thru hard work)
    Use my hands for everything but steering (pleading he is a an Industry puppet not in control of his life)
    Can't stop the spirits when they need you (Evil Industry will have you enslaved at Evils will, left powerless)
    Mop tops are happy when they feed you (speaking to humankind/fans/sheep “We will give you whatever we want and control your energy you ingest and emit. And you will take it!” Humankind/fans/sheep are left iterally hypnotized)
    J. Butterfly is in the treetop (aware one is not alone, being watched. In training, in process of being used. Marrionette.)
    Birds that blow the meaning into bebop (“birds/ drones/helpers” are Industry Evil “songwriters/producers” For control of energy. Disguised in hypnotizing music in all ways)

    [Repeat Chorus]

    Wait a minute I'm passing out (suddenly “realizes/proclaims” I will die here physically too.)
    Win or lose just like you (just like you “fans/sheep/humankind” I will “perish” too. En wonderment.)
    Far more shocking (Only if you knew the real truth. You couldn’t handle the truth. Again a big warning.)
    Than anything I ever knew (One’s mind will find it too had to perceive, he is doubting Humankind.)
    How about you (Do/Can you hear/understand me?)
    10 more reasons (referring to Ideals of Ten Commandments, which are merely basics to the Lights intent. He feels we can “relate” to reference of ideals by referring to Bible/Christian basics/laws to life.
    Why i need somebody new just like you (Remourseful and wishing he chose the Path of Light, looking back)
    Far more shocking than anything I ever knew (Again Fear of the Light and Dark is Stunning at every moment)
    Right on cue (Still under control at Evils of Industry’s will.)
    Can't stop addicted to the shin dig (Intoxicating &addicting negativity, hard to give up, unable to break free.)
    Cop top he says I'm gonna win big (Evils/Industry honcho/drone promises fame and fortune)
    Choose not a life of imitation (Pleading. Do not do as I do. Stay true to yourself/path)
    Distant cousin to the reservation (a Navajo knows meaning)
    Defunkt the pistol that you pay for (Under control. Get responsible. You are hurting/killing yourself) This punk the feeling that you stay for (“Can’t you see you are “herded” like sheep by Evil intent)
    In time I want to be your best friend (Evil is patient)
    Eastside love is living on the westend (Absolute opposite of what is believes to be)
    Knock out but boy you better come to (Wake up. Take back your mind and soul. Awake to find what is happening while you were “out”)
    Don't die you know the truth is some do (Save your soul. Progressive Love is the truth.)
    Go write your message on the pavement (get this message out by any means, referring to ancient peoples cave writing/hyroglyphics)
    Burnin' so bright I wonder what the wave meant (why must we have Evil if Light is so great?)
    Kick start the golden generator (Begin to use your “chakras/own energies” to pump more positive energies out to make great change. This is the answer to Life.)
    Sweet talk but don't intimidate her (communicate/pray/ask, but don’t ever demand or force.
    Can't stop the gods from engineering (we are but pawns)
    Feel no need for any interfering (can do nothing. It has been done, soul has been sold. Under control.)
    Your image in the dictionary
    This life is more than ordinary (there is more to what we know)
    Can I get 2 maybe even 3 of these (can I just start my life over? One more life/chance?)
    Come from space (Literal truth)
    To teach you of the pleiades (Literal truth)
    Can't stop the spirits when they need you (We are not in control, there is more going on. We are under control.)
    This life is more than just a read thru (Humankind has only one chance to progress or regress)
    Flag UncoverTheLieon May 03, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I love when he says
    "music the great communicator
    use two sticks to make it in the nature"

    It's about inspiration and how someone get inspired when he smokes. Such a great way to express it "make it in the nature" is exactly the way someone can feel when he's creating while being high!
    (sorry for the grammar, I'm French)
    Flag garveymon July 29, 2010   Link
  • +3
    My Interpretation:I have read through the comments and don't think anyone has really nailed the song meaning yet. After reading Anthony Keidis' autobiography this song becomes clear in it's meaning. Keidis was a frequent drug user from the age of 14 and a heavy addict from sometime later in his teens, his book details countless relapses during his attempts at staying clean. I was reading page 447 of his book and he is talking about wanting to stop (his drug binges) and he just can't.

    This song came into focus for me and I started to look at the lyrics and picked these bits;

    Can't stop addicted to the shin dig (shin dig being his drug fueled escapades)

    Cop top he says I'm gonna win big ('he' being the voice inside his head trying to get him to use)

    Choose not a life of imitation ('life of imitation' life under the influence of drugs)

    Distant cousin to the reservation (detatched from real life)

    Defunkt the pistol that you pay for (when he scores drugs that aren't good enough or strong enough)

    This punk the feeling that you stay for (calling the Heroine high a 'punk')

    In time I want to be your best friend
    Eastside love is living on the westend (Keidis had a string of girlfriends from New York (Eastside Love) and he lives in LA (West End), relationships he ruined through his drug use)

    Knock out but boy you better come to
    Don't die you know the truth is some do (about overdosing and the people he's known who have died)

    Go write your message on the pavement (about writing his music)
    Burnin' so bright I wonder what the wave meant (being such a successful band, 'wave' being his drug binges)

    White heat is screaming in the jungle ('white heat' being the idea of drugs, the jungle being his mind)
    Complete the motion if you stumble ('the motion' being his steps to sobriety, 'stumble' meaning relapse)
    Go ask the dust for any answers ('dust' is drugs)
    Come back strong with 50 belly dancers (comin back after rehab and performing)

    I won't go through the whole second verse, you get the idea, just one more thing I have to point out;

    Sweetheart is bleeding in the snowcone
    So smart she's leading me to ozone

    These two lines are about him being 'clean', he has Hepatitus C and has a beautiful nurse administer his meds, the meds are called Ozone and help keep the Hep C in check. 'Bleeding in the snowcone' means the flushback of blood into the syringe when the Ozone is administered.

    I think it's pretty clear that Cant Stop is the theme of Keidis' life of drugs, sobriety and relapses.
    Flagged Fitzcarraldoon May 06, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:nirvanafied you are stupid. all of the chili peppers songs have a meaning. I jus twant to say that i think this song is way above the quality of BY The Way,
    Flagged samrayisballinon January 25, 2010   Link

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